472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

After another successful day on 28MHz (10m) FT8 RX with Mauritania and South Africa logged, I have decided to QSY to 472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground). My first 2 minute transmission was copied by 3 stations with best DX being G8TTI (186km).

IC-705 video

Some months ago ICOM introduced us to the IC-705, which should be available in 2020. This is a QRP (10W or less all mode) radio. It is a radio that appeals to me.

I created an IC-705 website to add links as I find them. This rig hopefully will cover all HF and VHF bands to 70cm and be SDR based like the IC-7300 and IC-9700. This is just one video.

Baby Brennan - NOT amateur radio

For my birthday and Christmas (my birthday is a few days before Christmas) my wife has bought me a baby Brennan BB1 receiver. This stores lots (16GB) of music (e.g. from CDs), has access to 40000 internet radio stations as well as YouTube videos on a small TFT screen. It works with Bluetooth headphones.

Actually, I suggested this and I ordered it!

See https://www.brennan.co.uk/itemcontent.php/content/newbrennan

WRC-19

As you may know, this conference in Egypt to discuss spectrum matters is well under way. Southgate News has a piece on this and links the regular updates by the RSGB.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/november/rsgb-wrc-19-update--23cms-and-a-long-day.htm .

Lies - NOT amateur radio

Every time there is an election coming nearly all politicians make promises that are rarely kept.

In the UK we have a General Election due December 12th. Yesterday the Labour Party and the Conservative Party were making promises to spend big on the health service.

Today there was a Conservative politician on TV about a points based immigration system. When repeatedly asked a very direct question about whether this would result in more overseas workers working in the UK she swerved around the answer as most politicians do.

I seem to remember President Obama in the USA promising to close Guantanamo Bay.  Many years later it is still there. Then there is President Trump's wall.

Cynical me?

Whatever politicians promise, ignore.  Is it any wonder we don't trust our politicians?

10m FT8

Just after breakfast I decided to go on 10m FT8. As yet, no spots. Yesterday 10m FT8 was pretty good considering we are right at the bottom of the solar cycle.

UPDATE 0918z:  A brief 2.5W FT8 CQ earlier got no spots - am I surprised? No. No RX spots yet still.

UPDATE 1204z: 35 RX spots so far from southern Europe and North Africa with S01WS (3043km) as the best DX in Western Sahara. Did someone say this is 10m at sunspot minimum and well outside of the Es season?

UPDATE 1918z: 53 stations spotted today on10m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Friday November 8th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=0.

Night off

This evening and overnight I shall not be on 472kHz WSPR TX. I have decided the rig and PC can have a night off!

Cactus - NOT amateur radio

Usually in time for Christmas, this cactus flowers. This year it is early and glorious. My wife has a magic touch!

BATC ATV Convention (south)

Saturday 9 NOVEMBER : BATC ATV CONVENTION (SOUTH) 

Chilton Village Hall near Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0SH. ATV Clinic, Show and Tell, Bring and Buy and 2 interesting talks. More information at https://forum.batc.org.uk.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/